Mazda 626 Problems by Year

We compared every Mazda 626 model year from 1995–2003 using 2,458 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 7 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 1995 and 1998, which drew far more complaints than other 626 years at the same age. The best years are 2003, 2002 and 2001.

9model years
2,458complaints
7recalls
1995, 1998worst years
2003, 2002best years

Complaints by model year

199519961997199819992000200120022003488359358434318217188879
Owner complaints per model year, Mazda 626. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20039−97%—AirbagGood
200287−74%—TransmissionGood
2001188−40%—TransmissionAverage
2000217−34%1TransmissionAverage
19993181.2×2TransmissionAverage
19984341.6×4TransmissionCaution
19973581.3×3TransmissionAverage
19963591.3×2TransmissionAverage
19954881.6×2TransmissionCaution

* Complaints compared with the median 626 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Mazda 626 problems

Latest Mazda 626 recalls

Electrical system › Ignition › Switch

NHTSA recall 15V-674 · Oct 19, 2015 · 1,368,500 vehicles

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 1989-1998 MPV, 1990-1995 323, 1990-1998 Protege, 1992-1993 MX-3, 1993-1995 929, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6.

Engine and engine cooling › Engine

NHTSA recall 00V-134 · May 9, 2000 · 31,000 vehicles

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. An external spring in the timing belt tensioner could break.

Remedy: Dealers will check the tensioner installed and replace it if the vehicle is equipped with the affected tensioner.

Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder

NHTSA recall 00V-074 · Mar 7, 2000 · 71,000 vehicles

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Certain reservoir tank caps on the brake master cylinder were produced with a worn out die and lack ventilation holes. As a result, the pressure in the reservoir tank can drop gradually as the brake pad or shoe wears and ambient temperature drops.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the reservoir cap and replace it, if necessary.

Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive

NHTSA recall 98V-249 · Oct 8, 1998 · 213,000 vehicles

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with the sas sensor unit. These vehicles can experience air bag deployments in minor undercarriage impacts.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the sas unit to reduce the probability of unnecessary deployments in low speed undercarriage impacts.

Equipment › Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.

NHTSA recall 98V-243 · Oct 2, 1998 · 73,000 vehicles

Vehicle description: if the vehicle is operated in a hot, humid environment with the window open and air conditioner running, it is possible for condensation to enter the audio unit and cause a short circuit.

Remedy: Dealers will affix aluminum tape over the audio unit to prevent water from entering.

All 7 Mazda 626 recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Mazda 626 should you avoid?

1995 and 1998 — these years have the most complaints relative to other 626 years at the same age, led by transmission & drivetrain problems in the 1995.

What is the best year for the Mazda 626?

2003 has the fewest complaints compared with other 626 years at the same age, followed by 2002 and 2001. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Mazda 626 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the transmission & drivetrain (1,725), engine & cooling (283) and air bags (193). Transmission complaints peak in the 1995 model year.

How many recalls has the Mazda 626 had?

7 recalls across 1995–2003. The model year with the most is 1998. See all Mazda 626 recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.